DE10357392B4 - Transport system for a tower construction - Google Patents

Abstract

Transport system for a tower construction (100), in particular for an offshore wind energy plant, which tower construction (100) has at least:
- Three foundations (15, 15.1, 15.2, 15.3, 15.4), which are to be placed on a riot level and the base node elements (10, 10.1 ... 10.6) in pairs via peripheral connecting rods (11, 11.1 ... 11.6) are interconnected .
- Support rods (14, 14.1 ... 14.6), each extending from a foundation node element (10, 10.1 ... 10.6) up to a above the ground level arranged tower base bearing (20) and
A tower column (30) placed on the tower base storage (20),
the transport system comprising a ring of pontoons (40) which:
In the floating plane of the pontoons (40) are connected via star connecting elements (54) or equivalent struts to the tower base bearing (20) and / or a central tube (22) located underneath,
- Are connected to the tower column (30) and / or with the tower base bearing (20) via tension elements (52), wherein the tension elements with the center axis of the ...

Description

• – drei Fundamente, die auf eine Aufstandsebene aufzusetzen sind und die an Fundamentknotenelementen jeweils paarweise über Peripherverbindungsstäbe miteinander verbunden sind,
• – Stützstäbe, die sich jeweils von einem Fundamentknotenelement bis zu einem oberhalb der Aufstandsebene angeordneten Turmbasislager erstrecken, und
• – eine Turmsäule, die auf das Turmbasislager aufgesetzt ist.

The invention relates to a transport system for a tower construction, in particular for an offshore wind energy installation, which tower construction has at least:

• Three foundations which are to be set up on a support level and which are connected to foundation node elements in pairs via peripheral connecting rods,
• - Support rods, each extending from a foundation node element to a tower above the ground level arranged tower base, and
• - A tower column, which is placed on the tower base camp.

Wind turbines are increasingly being built in the sea off the coast because of the there better wind conditions a greater energy yield possible is, and also because the installation on land due to noise, Shadow effect, etc. increasingly less accepted.

at Such offshore wind turbines pose particular problems creating a solid foundation for the tower structure at sea, as well as during the transport of the tower column with the nacelle on it, in which the rotor is mounted with the wings is and in which the generator for generating electrical energy is housed.

A tower construction of the type mentioned is from the DE 100 61 916 A1 known. Such a tower construction, with its punctual foundations through individual foundations, provides a secure footing even on uneven ground without the need for extremely difficult preparatory smoothing of the seabed at the intended location. The foundations each have only a small volume and together span a large supporting surface, which guarantees a high stability of the tower structure.

Indeed Construction works under water and on the high seas are extraordinary consuming, because they have a permanent one among others Require divers use. At the same time, however, stands for those for wind turbines interesting locations for example in the German Bight only a time window of about a quarter of the year available, in the swell the execution of foundation construction permits.

It is known from the DE 101 01 405 A1 continue to complete a hollow steel tower on land and then transport it with a downed tower pillar with a ship to the site, where it is erected again and discharged with its foundation on the seabed. This laid down tower type of transport involves a complicated system of floodable chambers and finds its limits in the dimensions of modern wind turbines of the 5MW class with hub heights of 100m and above above an uprising level of 40m and more, and in the weight of concrete formed tower structures of such size.

It Therefore, the task is to specify a transport system, with a tower structure of the type mentioned after completion lifted on land and flooding the site and on the intended Location can be spent at sea.

These The object is achieved by a transport system having the features of the claim 1 and a method having the features of claim 3 solved.

Of the Advantage of a chain of pontoons is that these in open Line around the tower structure and then closed the ring can. The annular Shape of the pontoon ring in transport position, preferably with the configuration of the foundation level, ie in particular also hexagonal, gives the tower structure stability, alike from which direction a load due to swell, wind etc. he follows. Nick movements on the transport then lead to a part stronger is dipped and consequently the buoyancy forces are larger, whereas the opposite Part of the ring is lifted further out of the water, causing there the weight forces increase. Both lead to the fact that the tower building is returned to its vertical starting position.

The Pontoons can be moved individually or as a chain. For the return of the transport system from the settlement point with it possibly also channels and other narrow waterways become.

advantageous Training and refinements of the invention are the dependent claims and will be described below with reference to the embodiments with reference to the drawing explained in more detail. The Figures show in detail:

1 the foundation area of a tower structure in a perspective view;

2 the transport system with the foundation area of the tower, also in pers pectic representation;

3 a plan view of the tower structure with the transport system according to 2 ;

4 the transport system according to the invention with the tower structure in transport position in a lateral view;

5 the view 4 in the cramped state;

6 the erected tower in lateral, partially cut view and

7 a foundation with foundation node element in section.

1 shows a schematic view and not to scale, in particular not true to the angle, the foundation of a tower construction.

In the illustrated embodiment, this consists of six foundation node elements 10.1 . 10.2 ... together, which are positioned at the vertices of a polygon. At the outer edges of the polygon are the foundation node elements 10.1 . 10.2 ... via peripheral connecting rods 11.1 . 11.2 ... connected with each other.

To the center of the foundation node elements 10.1 . 10.2 ... spanned ring extend in the illustrated embodiment star connection elements 12.1 . 12.2 ..., which are also preferably rods; but it can also be used traction elements. These are on a central center tube element 22 posted as coupling element.

From a tower base camp 20 that extends above through the foundation node elements 10 formed foundation level and to which the central tube element 22 adjoins, extending support rods 14.1 . 14.2 ... to the foundation node elements 10.1 . 10.2 ....

In this way, each form two adjacent star connection elements 12.1 . 12.2 and one peripheral connector rod each 11.1 , Another triangle is formed by adjacent support rods 14.1 . 14.2 and a peripheral connecting rod 11.1 , This triangle is compared to the Fun dam level by an angle preferably made greater than 45 degrees.

The main load of the tower structure is on the tower base camp 20 and over the support rods 14.1 . 14.2 ... 14.6 on the foundation node elements 10.1 . 10.2 , ... 10.6 derived.

The foundation node elements 10.1 . 10.2 ... 10.6 are preferably made of concrete. Therein are the support rods 14.1 . 14.2 ... 14.6 and / or the peripheral connecting rods 11 and possibly the star connection elements 12 cast. To the outer edge of the foundation node element 10 , which at the same time forms the end of the fixed clamping of the cast-in elements to eliminate pressure voltage peaks, are the support rods 14 , Peripheral connecting rods 11 and / or star connectors 12 there each with cast rings 17 made of an elastomer, such as 7 shows.

The actual foundations 15 located at the bottom of the foundation node elements 10 can be formed in various ways, as will be shown below.

In addition to the illustrated direct connection between the foundation node elements 10 and the foundations 15 can each also an additional, extending in the vertical direction support tube between the foundation node element 10 and foundation 15 be provided.

The tower structure is particularly suitable for floating transport from a site near the shore to a location off the coast. For this purpose, a special transport system is provided according to the invention, which consists essentially of a ring of pontoons 40 exists and with which the tower structure 100 raised, swum and positioned at the intended location.

In 2 is a ring of several pontoons 40 around the tower structure, in particular around the obliquely rising support rods 14 represented. In the figure, two pontoons of the pontoon ring are not shown in the front area in order to increase the clarity.

The number of pontoons 40 can be the number of edges on the polygon or peripheral connectors 11 between the foundation node elements 10 correspond. It is also possible, a larger or smaller number of pontoons 40 provided. This depends essentially on the buoyancy force required to lift the tower structure and that of the pontoons 40 spanned area, which must be sufficient to hit the pontoons 40 to the obliquely rising support rods 14 to prevent.

Several pontoons 40.1 ... 40.6 are, in particular 3 shows about inner crosspoints 41 and outer rods or hawsers 42 connected to a pontoon ring. Lifting points for the connections to the tower construction as well as appropriate lifting devices can be placed directly on the pontoons 40 or on the in 2 illustrated connecting plates 50 between two pontoons 40 be arranged.

To the previously with respect to the 1 and 2 illustrated tower construction 100 is the pontoon ring over anchor chains 56 connected as dashed lines in

4 are shown. Other traction means such as ropes, rods are also used. The foundation node elements can be connected via corresponding winches 10 with its associated foundations 15 be raised or lowered.

• – die Fundamentknotenelemente 10.1 ... 10.6,
• – die Peripherverbindungsstäbe 11.1 ... 11.6,
• – die Sternverbindungselemente 12.1 ... 12.6 und
• – die Stützstäbe 14.1 ... 14.6

gebildeten räumlichen Fachwerks positioniert sind. Neben dem bevorzugten Hexagon sind auch andere polygonale Anordnungen möglich, wobei wenigstens drei Fundamentpunkte notwendig sind und die maximale Anzahl zehn Eckpunkte nicht übersteigen sollte, da dann ein hoher konstruktiver Aufwand durch eine Vielzahl von Verbindungselementen und Knotenpunkten das Turmbauwerk stark verteuert. Die Ausführungsform mit sechs Fundamenten bietet auch im Fall eines Bruchs einzelner Stützstäbe 14 infolge einer Kollision eines Schiffes genügend Sicherheit für die Standfestigkeit des Turmbauwerks. 3 shows in a plan view the polygonal ring of pontoons 40.1 ... 40.6 , which are connected to each other at coupling points 41 and about hawsers 42 are connected, and above the through

• - the foundation node elements 10.1 ... 10.6 .
• - the peripheral connecting rods 11.1 ... 11.6 .
• - the star connectors 12.1 ... 12.6 and
• - the support rods 14.1 ... 14.6

positioned spatial framework are positioned. In addition to the preferred hexagon, other polygonal arrangements are possible, at least three foundation points are necessary and the maximum number should not exceed ten vertices, since then a high design complexity by a variety of fasteners and nodes, the tower significantly expensive. The six-foundational embodiment also provides in the case of breakage of individual support bars 14 due to a collision of a ship sufficient security for the stability of the tower structure.

To limit the necessary lifting forces or through the pontoons 40 To reduce the buoyancy forces to be provided are the parts dipping during transport, ie the foundations 15 , the peripheral connection and support rods 14 . 11 , the center tube 22 and / or the tower base member 20 preferably provided with cavities that can be filled with air. Also the star connection elements 12 are preferably, when formed as a pressure rod, tubular and comprise an air-filled cavity. For the bars 11 . 12 . 14 Both steel pipes and pipes made of spun concrete are suitable.

The pontoons 40 are additionally via radially arranged tension elements 52 with the tower pillar 30 connected. The tension elements 52 are there so high struck that they are with the central axis of the tower column 30 include an angle of less than 45 °. The mode of action and the advantages of the additional tension elements 52 will be referred to below with reference to 4 and 5 explained.

Besides, the pontoons 40 over radially extending in their floating plane star connection elements 54 (see. 3 ) with the tower column 30 or the tower base camp 20 connected. As a result, the position of the tower structure is fixed in the center of the pontoon ring.

The torsional stiffness of the composite of pontoon ring and tower structure can be achieved by bracing, in addition to or in place of the stern connecting elements 54 in the area of the floating level of the pontoons 40 are arranged on the type of bicycle spokes, are still increased.

4 shows the tower structure 100 in a side view, in which also the pontoon ring is not completely shown.

• – das Mittelrohr 22,
• – das Turmbasislager 20,
• – die Turmsäule 30

sowie gegebenenfalls bei einer Verwendung des Turmbauwerks für eine Windenergieanlage:

• – die Gondel 60 mit Nabe 64.

The tower construction 100 includes in addition to the previously described in detail foundation area:

• - the center tube 22 .
• - the tower base camp 20 .
• - the tower pillar 30

and, where applicable, when using the tower structure for a wind turbine:

• - the gondola 60 with hub 64 ,

The center tube 22 extends from the tower base camp 20 proceeding to near the level of the foundation node element 10 However, preferably ends above, so that is guaranteed at a corresponding unevenness of the seabed at the installation that only the foundations 15 on the seabed 2 rest, but not the lower portion of the center tube 22 ,

As already mentioned, the center tube 22 preferably hollow. So on the one hand buoyancy forces are generated; On the other hand, the assembly is facilitated by the tension strands of preferably designed as a spun concrete tubes rods 12 . 14 inside the center tube 22 can be tightened.

The tower base camp 22 preferably slopes downwards conically. The heights at the tower construction 100 are sized to sea level 1 , which in the in 4 shown transport position at the height of the pontoons 40 is located, after setting up in the area of the cone the tower base camp 20 lies. The bevel down then acts icebreaking.

On the tower base camp 20 can be an access platform 35 in the area of an access door 34 be arranged.

The tower pillar 30 moving away from the tower base camp 22 About 70 meters to the gondola 60 he stretches, is of several segments 31 . 32 . 33 composed.

In the illustrated embodiment, the lowest segment 31 the tower conically tapering upwards 30 made of concrete, whereas the segments 32 and 33 are made of steel.

For transport purposes can laterally on the tower column 30 at least one at the hub 64 rotor to be fixed to the rotor 62 be held in appropriate recordings. The tower building can then be transported with the mounted tower nacelle. One or more rotor blades are attached during transport in an upright position on the tower wall and can then after lowering the foundations on the seabed at the rotor hub 64 the gondola 60 be attached.

5 the situation of the tower is shown in case of a heeling. The gravitational force vector acting in the center of gravity G and the buoyancy force vector acting in the center of gravity B no longer lie on a vertical as in the situation of the static equilibrium in FIG 4 , As a result of the heeling, the immersed and emergent volume fractions of the foundation structure change, so that the center of gravity B emigrates. The metazentrum M thus defined is located above the center of gravity, that is, the tower structure is stable at the heeling angle of about 15 ° shown, because it creates a righting moment, which moves the curved tower structure back to the starting position.

6 shows the finished tower 100 , Exemplary there are different variants of foundations 15.1 ... 15.4 displayed. Preferably, however, the nature of the foundations according to the geological properties of the seabed 2 selected, and the foundations are formed on all vertices of the spanned polygon similar.

The foundation 15.2 is designed as a flat foundation. It is located directly on the seabed 2 on. All around is as Auskolkungsschutz a ring 16 laid out of gravel.

At the foundation 15.3 is the foundation plate through several small piles in the seabed 2 anchored.

At the foundation 15.4 it is also a pile foundation, but anchored with a single large, correspondingly deeper-reaching pole.

The foundation 15.1 is designed as Saugkammerfundament and corresponds to the preferred embodiment. It is in principle a downwardly open cup, the wall thickness of which is thin enough to penetrate into the seabed 2 incise. The suction chamber may be made of steel or of concrete, in which case a ring cutting edge made of steel should be placed. It is advantageous here that the air trapped in the suction chamber generates buoyancy during sea transport.

When setting up then air is drained, so that sand or silt penetrates into the chamber and the foundation by the pressure of the pressure on the water column increasingly in the seabed 2 sinks. At the bottom of the sea 2 attached Saugkammerfundamenten 15.1 In addition, by deliberately influencing the internal pressure in the chambers in all foundations at the same time the position of the tower structure can be precisely aligned. By filling the chamber with concrete then the once set position can be fixed. Should one of the Saugkammerfundamente 15.1 because of uneven ground with its lower edge not on the seabed 2 Nevertheless, a viable foundation point can easily be created by filling concrete through the suction chamber until it is below the foundation 15.1 a concrete cone has formed on the seabed.

The filling of air or concrete can by the preferably hollow bars 14 from the also hollow center tube 22 out.

The Saugkammerfundament 15.1 is at its outer periphery at least in an upper region of its height with baffles 18.1 . 18.2 provided, in 7 an example of a straight, obliquely placed baffle 18.2 and a corrugated baffle 18.1 are shown side by side. These serve as anti-collapse, that is, they are designed to prevent the flow along the Saugkammerfundaments 15.1 Remove the seabed in the area so that there is a risk that the foundation will be washed free. The baffles 18.1 . 18.2 are flow obstacles to create turbulent flows from laminar flows. The baffles should be mounted at least in the area of the Saugkammerfundaments standing out of the ground.

An inclination of the baffles causes a vertical diversion of the flow. But in order not to direct the flow to the ground and thereby increase the Auskkungsgefahr rather, the inclination of the baffles should 18.1 . 18.2 be less than 45 ° relative to the vertical center axis of the foundation and preferably between 10 and 30 °.

The erection of a wind energy plant with the tower construction 100 and the associated transport system is explained below:
On a building site near the shore or in a dry dock, a dry-laid ring wall, etc. are the foundations 15 built and over the bars 11 . 12 and 14 with each other and with the center tube 22 as a coupling element and the tower base camp 20 connected to a framework. The tower pillar 30 can also already built and the gondola 60 be put on.

This not only completes the tower construction, but also the entire wind energy plant almost completely dry or near land. Here is a significant advantage of the invention, as eliminated by the possible use of land-based cranes during assembly of sea transport aufzusetzenden the foundation structure on the parts and the installation of the tower column 30 and the gondola 60 much easier is possible.

Only two rotor blades can first be mounted at the intended location in order to keep the wind attack surface low during sea transport. A rotor blade 61 is already at the hub 64 mounted and aligned so that it is completely in front of the tower column 30 lies. Another rotor blade 62 is at the side of the tower pillar for transport 30 held, as in the 4 and 5 shown; a rotor blade 63 lies hidden behind the tower pillar in these figures 30 ,

• – zu den Fundamentknotenelementen 10 oder direkt zu den Fundamenten 15 über die Ankerketten 56, Seile etc.
• – zu dem Mittelrohr 22 über die Sternverbindungselemente 54 und
• – zu dem Turmbasislager 20 und/oder zur Turmsäule 30 über die Zugelemente 52.

After the almost complete completion of the wind turbine is an articulated train of pontoons 40 positioned around the tower structure. There are connections from the pontoons 40 or from the intermediate connection plates 50 each produced:

• - to the foundation node elements 10 or directly to the foundations 15 over the anchor chains 56 , Ropes etc.
• - to the center tube 22 over the star connectors 54 and
• - to the tower base camp 20 and / or to the tower pillar 30 over the tension elements 52 ,

This is the tower construction 100 in the pontoon ring 40 centered and fixed. The foundations 15 are raised to the point where it is possible for the entire association to exit the waters on the site. The bandage is pulled by tugs.

at Achieving greater water depths the foundations are lowered as much as possible to the stability of the floating Increase tower construction.

Does it come z. B. by high sea state to a heel, the following effects occur in the transport system according to the invention:
By the circumferential suspension of the pontoons 40 between the foundation node elements 10 and the tower pillar 30 the pontoon ring emerges with the heightening of the tower structure 100 on the one hand stronger, which increases the buoyancy on this side. At the same time it is increasingly lifted from the water opposite, so that the buoyancy force decreases there. The pontoon ring thus holds its to the central axis of the tower column 30 vertical orientation in any case. In addition, the potential energy of the masses increases at the upwardly elevated parts of the foundation ring and the pontoon ring. The resulting weight force acts on the tension elements 53 at a point on the tower column far above the center of gravity G and also here with a correspondingly large lever arm causes a restoring moment.

Through the star connectors 54 The pontoon ring can not emigrate opposite the tower structure, so that it is ensured that with increasing heeling and an increasing righting moment is generated. This is the star connection elements 54 or equivalent struts essential to the invention for the transport system according to the invention.

Before reaching the intended location, the foundations 15 slightly raised again. After positioning the tower structure 100 become the foundations 15 then finally to the seabed 2 lowered. When using suction chamber foundations 15.1 The entire foundation level can be leveled to the tower column 30 align exactly perpendicular.

The cavities in the foundations 15 , Bars 11 . 12 . 14 and the center tube 22 can be completely or partially flooded or filled with concrete to increase the weight in the foundation area and thus the stability.

The connections of the pontoon ring are released again and the pontoons 40 are being dragged away.

There it is possible according to the invention the tower in an almost operational state at his intended to bring offshore offshore location is for the remaining assembly work no floating crane or the like is required.

There are only the two outboards on the tower column for the sea transport salaried rotor blades 62 . 62 to assemble.

As 6 shows that a davit mounted on the nacelle can be used for this purpose. The operable preassembled gondola 60 is turned so that the hub 64 above the supported rotor blade 62 is positioned. It is then with the davit a clamping device 67 lowered down, with the rotor blade to be mounted 62 is connected. The rotor blade 62 gets to the hub 64 pulled up and bolted there. The same process is repeated after the hub 64 turned so that the still free flange is down. Thus, the wind turbine is ready for use.

1

water level

10 10.1 ... 10.6

Foundation node element

11 11.1 ... 11.6

Peripherals connecting rod

12 12.1 ... 12.6

Star connection element

14 14.1 ... 14.6

supporting rod

15

foundation

20

Tower base camp

22

center tube

30

tower column

31 32, 33

Tower column elements

34

access door

35

access platform

40

pontoon

50

node plate

52

tension elements

60

gondola

61, 62, 63

wing

100

tower building

Claims (8)

Transport system for a tower construction ( 100 ), in particular for an offshore wind turbine, which tower building ( 100 ) at least: - three foundations ( 15 . 15.1 . 15.2 . 15.3 . 15.4 ) which are to be set up on a riot level and which are assigned to foundation node elements ( 10 . 10.1 ... 10.6 ) in pairs via peripheral connecting rods ( 11 . 11.1 ... 11.6 ), - support rods ( 14 . 14.1 ... 14.6 ) each extending from a foundation node element ( 10 . 10.1 ... 10.6 ) up to a tower base bearing (above 20 ) and - a tower pillar ( 30 ), which are based on the tower base camp ( 20 ), the transport system comprising a ring of pontoons ( 40 ), which: - in the floating plane of the pontoons ( 40 ) via star connection elements ( 54 ) or equivalent struts with the tower base storage ( 20 ) and / or a central tube ( 22 ), - with the tower column ( 30 ) and / or with the tower base camp ( 20 ) via tension elements ( 52 ), wherein the tension elements with the central axis of the tower column enclose an angle of less than 45 °, and - with the foundation node elements ( 10 ) and / or the foundations ( 15 ) via anchor chains ( 56 ) are connected. Transport system according to claim 1, characterized in that above the foundation node elements ( 10 . 10.1 ... 16.6 ) the pontoons ( 40 ) are connected together and there attachment points for the tension elements ( 52 ) for connection to the tower column ( 30 ) are provided. Method for erecting a tower construction ( 100 ), in particular for an offshore wind energy installation, with at least the following steps: - construction of at least three foundations ( 15 ) each with a foundation node element ( 10 ) on a building site on land or in a dry dock, - connection of foundation node elements ( 10 ) with peripheral connecting rods ( 11 ) and installation of we at least one inclined support element ( 14 ) at the foundation node element ( 10 ), - construction of a free end of the support elements ( 14 ) connecting tower base camp ( 20 ), - construction of a tower column ( 30 ) on the tower base camp ( 20 ), - flooding the site, - connecting pontoons ( 40 ) to a ring enclosing the tower structure ( 100 ), Connecting the foundation node elements ( 10 ) with the pontoons via anchor chains ( 56 ), Connecting the pontoons ( 40 ) with the tower base camp ( 20 ) and / or the tower column ( 30 ) via tension elements ( 52 ), and connecting the pontoons ( 40 ) in its floating plane via star connection elements ( 54 ) or equivalent struts with the tower base storage ( 20 ) and / or a central tube ( 22 ), - winding up the tower ( 100 ) via the anchor chains ( 56 ), - towing the pontoon ring and tower structure to a location at sea, - lowering the tower ( 100 ) opposite the pontoon ring and removing the connections between the pontoons ( 40 ) and the tower ( 100 ). Method according to claim 3, characterized in that the foundation node elements ( 10 ) additionally via radially extending star connection elements ( 12.1 ... 12.6 ) get connected. Method according to Claim 4, characterized in that the star connection elements ( 12.1 ... 12.6 ) are connected by a centrally arranged coupling element. Method according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that at the building site on the tower column ( 30 ) a rotor nacelle ( 60 ) with a rotor hub ( 64 ) is placed. Method according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that at least one rotor blade ( 61 ) in an upright position on the tower column ( 30 ) is held. A method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that on the building site a rotor blade ( 61 ) on the rotor hub ( 64 ) and two further rotor blades ( 62 ) on the side of the tower column ( 30 ) are held.